Why Does My Cat Sit On Me?

Why Does My Cat Sit On Me?

It probably gives you quite a heartwarming feeling each time your cat comes up and sits on you. Cats can sometimes act aloof and nonchalant, so it is a nice surprise when your furry friend sits on your lap. Read on and let us get to know the reasons why cats do this to their humans.

Why does my cat sit on me?

She is seeking warmth. 

Cats naturally seek warmth to keep their temperature up. Their base temperature is much higher than that of humans, somewhere around 100 to 102 degrees. An owner’s lap is a warm and snug place to be, which makes it one of their go-to spots. 

She is craving connection.

According to Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant from California, cats seek connection with their favorite people. They also do that so they can be cuddled and stroked since people usually pet a cat that is on their lap. Cats are reminded of their mom’s grooming during petting. Some cats will even knead to replicate what they did during kittenhood when they kneaded their mother’s teats to stimulate milk flow. 

She feels safe.

Cat experts believe that cats sit on your lap because they feel safer there. Cats crave security, so they feel protected when they are close to their owner or favorite human. When they sit on you or next to you, they feel that you are protecting them from predators. 

She likes the material of your clothes.

Cats are drawn to certain fabrics like soft wool or fleece jackets. They like to be warm and comfy, so if you are wearing something fuzzy, it will draw your cat to you. 

She trusts you. 

Cats will only sit on people that they trust. If your cat regularly sits on your lap, consider yourself a lucky person! Cat experts also note that felines trust their humans more when they are given the option to sit on your lap and leave when they want to. 

She wants your undivided attention. 

Does your cat sit on you when you are engrossed watching a movie on Netflix? She just probably wants to distract you so you will focus on her and give her attention. 

She is naturally sociable and affectionate.

Cats are sociable animals that like to interact with their humans. However, certain factors like breed, personality, and temperament can also influence a cat’s desire to express affection. 

She likes your smell. 

Because cats have a superior sense of smell, they will likely sit on their humans when they smell good. They also tend to sit on clothes that smell like their owners. Inversely, they will refuse to sit on you if they detect the scent of another pet or dog. This usually happens if you have just been to an animal shelter or a friend’s home where there are dogs or cats. 

Why does my cat sit next to me but not on my lap?

Your cat may sit next to you but not on your lap because of the following reasons:

You may have adopted her at a mature age. 

If you brought home your cat when she was already older, she may have a hard time adjusting to her new surroundings. Cat experts note that it is easier to teach kittens to become sociable and trusting. An ideal age to bring home a new cat is when she is around 12 weeks old. That way you will have enough time to train and acclimate your cat to new people and surroundings. 

It could be due to your cat’s background. 

Cats that had a traumatic experience with past owners are more likely to behave like this. She may not be too sociable or may be fearful of humans. This scenario is common among cats that were from pet shelters and rescue centers. Cat experts note that it can take considerable time before these cats will warm up and trust their humans.

There could be other pets in your home. 

Your cat may not sit on your lap because she detects the scents of other pets on you. This often happens among multi-cat households. Certain cats are just particular with scents, and pets may not always get along harmoniously. 

You may be handling and petting her incorrectly. 

Your cat may be sitting next to you but not on your lap since you are not handling her properly. Pay attention to your cat and express your affection by petting and cuddling her comfortably so she will eventually trust you more. 

Lap cat breeds 

These are the so-called lap cat breeds because they are affectionate and love to sit on laps:

  • Ragdoll
  • Siamese 
  • Maine Coon
  • Scottish Fold
  • Persian 
  • Birman 
  • Tonkinese 
  • Russian Blue
  • Himalayan 
  • Ragamuffin 

Conclusion 

Cats tend to be aloof, but certain cats enjoy being “lap cats”, such as the Ragdoll and Persian breeds. Cats will sit on you because you are warm and they trust you. They may also behave like this because they like your smell, you are wearing fuzzy clothes, or they feel secure with you.

Image: istockphoto.com / LightFieldStudios